Review: Dark Mirror - M.J Putney

Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney. Courtesy of Sarah Goldstein at St. Martin's Press.

Lady Victoria Mansfield, youngest daughter of the earl and countess of Fairmount, is destined for a charmed life. Soon she will be presented during the London season, where she can choose a mate worthy of her status.

Yet Tory has a shameful secret—a secret so powerful that, if exposed, it could strip her of her position and disgrace her family forever. Tory’s blood is tainted . . . by magic.

When a shocking accident forces Tory to demonstrate her despised skill, the secret she’s fought so hard to hide is revealed for all to see. She is immediately exiled to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for young men and women in her position. There she will learn to suppress her deplorable talents and maybe, if she’s one of the lucky ones, be able to return to society.

But Tory’s life is about to change forever. All that she’s ever known or considered important will be challenged. What lies ahead is only the beginning of a strange and wonderful journey into a world where destiny and magic come together, where true love and friendship find her, and where courage and strength of character are the only things that determine a young girl’s worth.

I loved the premise of this book, high society rejecting magic in their bloodlines and sending those who were afflicted off to a special boarding school. I am loving the recent trend of historical and paranormal mix, it combines two of my favourite things and works a whole lot better than you would think.

I loved Tory, the main character, she was very strong and independent. Where as most people would only be looking out for themselves or falling to pieces when things didn't go their way, she always made the right decisions. She stood up for what she believed in and never let fear of the unknown get in her way. It wasn't to heavy on romance, it was more about the magic, but what there was was very sweet and ended on a happy note.

The book lost me a little when Tory went through the mirror as I had no idea it was going to be a time travel novel, although the cover should have given me a bit of a clue. But it didn't take me long to get back into it, the author really made the 1940's come alive. And it turned out that the second trip back in time became my favourite part of the whole book.

This is the authors first YA novel and I hope it won't be her last. I have no idea if this is the start of a new series or not, the ending could work to make the book a stand alone novel or the start of a series. Either way it was a great book and I really recommend it.

That's all for now.